[Horovitz] went on to say “a few words too about our battered profession, which is economically so troubled. I think journalism is a noble field… Honest, independent journalism is the most effective way to keep our leaders honest.

"Fair and honest journalism is also crucial to informing the nation what’s being done in its name, and what its options are, to enable the people to make smart, informed choices about who should lead and which policies they should favor.

"But honest, fair, independent journalism is in ever shorter supply around the world, most certainly including in Israel.

[...]

"I’m proud to think that in a world with so much partisan, shrill and incitement-filled media, we’re part of the antidote."

The prizes were awarded by the B’nai B’rith World Center in memory of Dr. Wolf Matsdorf, a journalist and social worker, and his wife, Hilda, who was a leading social worker.

[...]

Maltz was a former economics reporter for The Jerusalem Post; Horovitz, who started out as a reporter for the Post, later became the paper’s editor-in-chief, and before that was editor-in-chief of its sister publication, The Jerusalem Report.

Although it was claimed by Government Press Office director Nitzan Chen and several other people at the recent Jewish Media Summit that the Israeli media does not deal with the Jewish Diaspora unless there is a crisis or tragedy, this has proven to be untrue in the case of the annual BBWC competition – where the number of entries grows from year to year. This year, there were 33 applicants who submitted 82 news and feature stories.

In November, Typhoon Yolanda ravaged the Philippines, killing more than 6,300 and displacing 4.1 million. It was the strongest typhoon ever recorded at landfall, destroying more than 1.1 million homes and businesses. B'nai B'rith International responded by opening its Disaster Relief Fund, collecting tens of thousands of dollars for humanitarian relief. Together, in partnership with IsraAID, B'nai B'rith set about rebuilding the infrastructure in the Vesayas district (pop. 11 million). Recently, Alan Schneider, director of the B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem, officially re-dedicated a high school building and stand-alone classrooms to the acting principal. Schneider unveiled a sign in Hebrew, English and Bisaya that read: “These buildings were restored by B’nai B’rith and IsraAID following Super-Typhoon Yolanda in support of the valiant efforts if the people of Ormoc to rebuild their lives. “ In his remarks, Schneider said: “We are touched that you allowed us into your community to assist in a very hands-on way in the recovery of Ormoc from the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda. The signature of all of this and other projects we have undertaken in Ormoc is that they were conceived with major input and participation of members of your community.

"The completion of the rebuilding project is a milestone in the resilience shown by this community in building back for the destruction that hit here just over six months ago and to your dedication to the education of the young generation."

Philippines weekly Leyteno Peryodiko, the second largest regional newspaper, covered the moving event:

Schneider paid tribute to the school’s staff for reopening the school just two weeks after the typhoon in a valiant effort to begin the return to normalcy, despite the difficult conditions at the school that is still in need of significant investment in order to repair all the damage caused by Yolanda.

He also recognized the role of the Philippines in serving as a refuge for Jews escaping the Holocaust and in voting in favor of the U.N. Partition Plan in 1947. Schneider referenced other B’nai B’rith-supported IsraAID aid activities that began just two days after Yolanda made landfall with a medical mission that treated over 5,000 patients in Tacloban, Ormoc, Kananga and Albuera municipalities and provided over two tons of medical supplies.

Numerous Jewish organizations have denounced the actions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) following its Friday vote to divest from companies that do business with Israel in the West Bank.

[...]

Though the Presbyterian Church has maintained that it is not in support of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement, Jewish agencies agree that the divestment is in clear alignment with the BDS movement.

“It is not possible to single out companies doing business with Israel for divestment and not be complicit in the BDS orbit,” B’nai B’rith stated.

"Hirsh has honorably represented the State of Israel around the world for more than 50 years, having composed more than 1,500 songs and put on many moving performances. Her songs have been published in a collection of six books and 13 albums."

B'nai B'rith International was featured on Shalom TV Daily News, condemning the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) on its recent vote to divest business from three corporations that do business with Israel.

Announced at the PC (U.S.A.)'s 221st biennial General Assembly, the move supports a partisan, anti-Israel approach to the peace process.

As a humanitarian organization that has invested tremendous hope and extensive efforts worldwide in building Christian-Jewish friendship for 170 years, B'nai B'rith International remains confident that such an approach does not reflect the values and perspectives of the vast majority of American Christians.

During the ceremonies, another special citation will be conferred on Israeli musician Nurit Hirsh for her decades-long effort to spread messages of Diaspora through the arts.

In advance of the event, the Times of Israel ran an article, detailing her commitment to the cause.

Read an excerpt of that story below and click through for full coverage:

[...]

The citation will be presented at the B’nai B’rith World Center’s 22nd annual awards Recognizing Excellence in Diaspora Reportage that will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem.

[...]Hirsh, B’nai Brith noted, has represented the State of Israel around the world for over 50 years through more than 1,500 of her songs “and many moving performances in which she brought great honor to the State of Israel.

Her songs have been published in a collection of six books and 13 CDs. Many of her songs are popular in Diaspora communities and serve as a bridge, a language and a source of shared identity between Israel and Jewish communities around the world, between the communities and within the communities themselves.”Hirsh, the citation went on, “chooses the lyrics to her songs from the Bible, prayer and Israeli poets in addition to personal songs reflecting universal themes. Her songs have been translated to many languages including English, Spanish, Japanese, Greek, Turkish, and Korean, and are sung all over the world.”

At a star-studded gala dinner in the Frankfurt Inter-Continental Hotel on June 10, Ralph Hofmann, outgoing president of B’nai B’rith Europe, presented Mathias Döpfner with the B'nai B'rith Europe 2014 Award of Merit.

In his introductory words Hofmann said: “Dr. Mathias Döpfner is a firm opponent of any form of anti-Semitism.

He supports the State of Israel and the Jewish people not only with his words but also with his deeds.”

Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble, German Minister of Financial Affairs, praised Döpfner’s support for the State of Israel: “Dr. Döpfner’s voice is constant in its support of Israel and of the special relationship which Germany has for Israel and for the Jewish people.”

In accepting the award Döpfner said: “This award has made me extremely happy. We, the publishing company and its journalists stand firmly on the side of freedom, of democracy and of the Jewish people. My guiding principle is never to tolerate intolerance.”

At the conclusion of Dopfner’s remarks, he was greeted with a standing ovation.

Among the numerous dignitaries at the gala dinner were the Ambassador of Israel Yakov Hadas-Handelsman, the General Consul of the United States of America Kevin Milas, President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi and Charlotte Knobloch, for many years president of the Central Committee of Jews in Germany.

In the closing speech, Israel’s ambassador, noting the current football fever, nominated Mathias Döpfner the captain of Germany’s Friends of Israel team.

"Senior Prom" at B'nai B'rith's Covenant Place in St. Louis was a major hit, both inside and outside of the senior living community.

In the week following the event, the St. Louis Post Dispatch ran a full-length feature on the event, covering the back story of many of the residents involved, as well as the young Jewish professionals and staff who organized the event.

A low rumble permeated the hall, and as the door opened, the whine of hair dryers and loud chatter blasted out.It was prom day, and everywhere you looked, volunteers were at work. They were armed with blow dryers and curling irons, with makeup brushes and mascara wands.While her nails dried, Darlene Flaherty, 66, told the women around her that she would be dressed to kill in an outfit she bought in Mexico.She also just had her second knee replacement done, “so I’m ready to dance tonight.”The fuss was all about the third annual senior prom June 1 at Covenant Place, a senior living complex in Creve Coeur.Rosy Weinstein, 93, tested lip colors and decided she needed a flashier tone, maybe berry tart.A stylist pinned Sonjia Williams’ hair into a French roll. Sonjia, 70, said she could dance better than everyone else, and that made her nervous. She didn’t want to look like a show-off.Not Anita Stevens. As a volunteer curled her hair, Anita, 83, bragged about a bra that would give her extra oomph that night.She stood up and gave a preview of her Elvis-like swivel. She was excited to show off her moves that night. But first, she needed to go home to her husband.She described Eric, 83, as a quiet man who is always by her side.